Off on my own and back again

This past weekend I had the unique opportunity of venturing out on my own to participate in a small nature retreat.  Though part of a group, most of the work was completed in solitude, and in this rare solo and quiet state I gained much clarity and restorative energy.  

It was two nights of uninterrupted sleep, and two and half days of very little chatter and absolutely zero housework.  Meals were provided and it was a time to be fully immersed in the light of the shinning sun, the glow of the fullest moon, and find company among the plants, animals and rocks.  

In my journal I recorded doodles and drawings, practical plant information, and pages of insight.

I missed Paul and the kids for sure, enough to want to spilt out a day early, but I didn't.  I stretched myself when the solitude felt uncomfortable and returned to my family a fuller me.
       

Upon return the kids ran out to greet me, so many arms reaching out and so many little stories that were anxious to be shared.  Paul greeted me with an exhaustion I have not seen since the years he worked as an investment banker.  He asked me how I did it on my own every. single. day.  I appreciate his acknowledgment of the heavy load I carry. 

Paul did a great job of caring for everyone.  Remarkably they were actually on time for church!

There was so much to catch up on, hugs, kisses and dishes and laundry.  I started with the hugs and kisses and decided to face the rest after bedtime.

I put Charlie down first.  He is learning new words everyday and even three days away surprised me.  We read some books, sang a song and I put him down.

I then called the next two boys up to bed.  Henry was quick to fall asleep (I brought him home an herb filled sleep pillow from the retreat) but George was struggling.  He thrashed and cried and complained about a stomach ache.  I assumed he was over tired and ate too much junk food while I was away so I simply let him be.

As I approached the kitchen I could clearly hear him throwing up.  I thought that a run of the stomach flu was an unfair transition from a weekend on my own.  I got the bucket and towels and cleaned him off.  This happened over and over again until I ran out of towels and it was past midnight.

I headed to the downstairs bathroom for more towels and discovered an open bottle of the herbal tincture blue cohosh.  It's purpose is for inducing labor and I had it unopened and on hand over a year ago just in case I needed it for Charlie's birth.  I had put the pieces together that George got into it, and I could clearly see that half the bottle was empty.

I asked him if he did eat "the yucky brown medicine" and he nodded his head.

I googled it and when I read toxic for children fear set in.  I prayed for direction and I felt impressed to call a healer we worked in Ann Arbor.  It was after midnight so I prayed again, asking if there was anyone else who could assist me.  Again the answer was to call this woman so I did.  I was relieved that after just one ring the phone went right to voice mail and I didn't have to disrupt her after all. 

Within 10 minutes I received a call from her.  I apologized for waking her up but she said, "you didn't wake me up, the Spirit did, I was told you needed my help".  She then explained that she has only phone in the house and it is kept in the laundry room.  I felt much comfort in her willingness to listen and be of help.  

She did confirm the toxicity of blue cohosh and reassured me it was not so dangerously toxic but it was a stimulant, in the family of tobacco and it was important to watch for rapid breathing and fast heart rate.  I was told that vomiting was the natural defense of the body and I should watch for signs of dehydration. I was advised that because of the distance to the hospital I should head to ER so he could be safely watched and evaluated.  I felt peace in that direction so we went.

In the ER George was given medicine to stop throwing up and offered as much fluid as he would take.  The stimulant was still active and this funny little boy talked and talked and laughed and laughed until 5 am.  We were released at 6 am and I got a quick 2 hour nap before it was time to face "normal life" again.